Reddit list on ‘unwritten Aussie rules’ goes viral

In Australia there’s a certain number of “unwritten rules” we all accept without question — including the one thing you must do at every Bunnings visit.

If you’re Australian there’s certain things about life here that just need no explanation.

There’s the fact that no shoes in a supermarket is a perfectly acceptable sight, or how the metal part of a seatbelt becomes a branding instrument in summer.

But in case you ever needed clarification on the unspoken rules that make up Australia, a list on Reddit has now gone viral for just that reason.

In a post shared earlier this week one Reddit user asked: “What are the unwritten rules to living in Australia?

“Like one hand, one bounce, in backyard cricket and always warning tourists about drop bears if they ask?

“What else is there?”

If you’re asked to bring a plate, it better not be empty. Picture: iStock.

Their question prompted more than 2000 replies, with responses ranging from what oft-spoken phrases really meant, to why you should always check your shoes before putting them on.

“When people say, ‘How’s it goin’ do NOT actually take this as an invitation to tell people how you are going,” one Aussie stressed.

“Saying ‘she’ll be right, mate’ after a life-threatening situation,” another person commented.

One person argued it was an “insult of huge proportions” to say “‘yeh righto’ followed by any of these non-threatening titles Mate, chief, champ, big fella, turbo, tiger, buddy”.

“When asked to bring a plate, do not just bring a plate … A plate of food to share,” another helpfully added.

“If you can shorten a word don’t waste everyone’s time with the full version,” one person commented.

Going to Bunnings and not supporting the charity stand by picking up a snag should be illegal. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Rebecca LeMay

Our rules also extended to Australia’s most sacred of institutions: Bunnings.

“It’s pretty much illegal to not grab a fundraiser snag if you head to Bunnings on the weekend,” one Aussie wrote.

“Can’t walk past a bag of soil at Bunnings without giving it a slap,” another commented.

The rules also extended to international relations, with the general consensus that Aussies must always tease New Zealanders.

But “if someone else does it, threaten them with violence if they say nasty things about our neighbours”.

“Russell Crowe is Australian. Unless he screws up then he’s from New Zealand,” one person commented.

Russell Crowe, definitely Aussie when he won an Oscar.

Gotta test those tongs before use. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski.

“Along with arguing with them about the origins of Pavlova,” another person added.

Some of our other rules are rather niche when you think about it, like how “you must clack the tongs at least twice before use” when cooking or that not standing on the left side of an escalator when stopped is an absolute travesty.

There’s also the Aussie tendency to hit someone over the hit with a roll of wrapping paper and always returning a shout for drinks if someone else bought you a beer.

We also have important road etiquette, with one Aussie explaining: “If someone lets you through in traffic you must thank them with ‘the wave’.”

Some rules are just practical, like this sage advice: “Never put on shoes that have been outside without smashing them together and on the ground to shoo the spiders out.”

Originally published as Reddit list on ‘unwritten Aussie rules’ goes viral